Methods for product authentication, which include: providing an article having a substrate with an analyte encoded composition; obtaining a sample of the composition; applying the sample to a test device to obtain test results, analyzing test results from the test device using an electronic device communicatively connected to an authentication authority, wherein the electronic device transmits the test device code and the test results to the authentication authority and confirms or denies authentication after comparison to an authentication database of authentic test results.

An image display element includes a display layer configured to display first to n-th (where n is an integer of 2 or more) images; a light-shielding pattern layer disposed opposite to the display layer and having alternately disposed light-shielding parts and light-transmitting parts, and a transparent layer disposed between the display layer and the light-shielding pattern layer. The display layer contains a coloring matter, where the coloring matter forms first to n-th images; each of the first to n-th images is divided in a discrete manner corresponding to the arrangement pattern of the light-transmitting parts; and an image visible through the light-shielding pattern layer changes depending on the angle from which the light-shielding pattern layer is viewed.

A pattern for producing a moire image with a sense of movement and technique for creating such patterns. A moire display includes: a first pattern; and a second pattern disposed offset from the first pattern by a predetermined distance, the second pattern having a phase which continuously changes relative to the first pattern in at least one region. For example, a moire image with a sense of movement can be produced when the second pattern has a phase that changes according to a function in at least one section. Accordingly, a moire image with a sense of natural movement can be produced by inputting an input image and data such as a feature value of the input image.

The invention relates to the field of the protection of security documents such as for example banknotes and identity documents against counterfeit and illegal reproduction. In particular, the invention relates to optical effect layers (OEL) showing a viewing-angle dependent optical effect, devices and processes for producing said OEL and items carrying said OEL, as well as uses of said optical effect layers as an anti-counterfeit means on documents. The OEL comprises a plurality of non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles, which are dispersed in a coating composition comprising a binder material, the OEL comprising two or more loop-shaped areas, being nested around a common central area that is surrounded by the innermost loop-shaped area, wherein, in each of the loop-shaped areas, at least a part of the plurality of non-spherical magnetic or magnetizable particles are oriented such that, in a cross-section perpendicular to the OEL layer and extending from the center of the central area to the outer boundary of the outermost loop-shaped area, the longest axis of the particles in each of the cross-sectional areas of the looped-shaped areas follow a tangent of either a negatively curved or a positively curved part of hypothetical ellipses or circles.

The invention relates to a data carrier comprising a storage layer forming a plurality of first surface elements (6). The storage layer (2) has at least one optical characteristic, which is optically anisotropic and which varies spatially between the first surface elements (6). A cover layer (3) over the storage layer (2) forms a plurality of second surface elements (10), each acting as a polarisation filter for a predetermined polarisation direction. The predetermined polarisation direction varies between the second surface elements (10). The storage layer can contain in particular bacteriorhodop sin in the form of a purple membrane. The invention also relates to a method for the production and reading of a data carrier of this type.

A micro-optic security device with zonal color transitions includes a planar array of focusing elements, an image icon layer including a plurality of retaining structures, the plurality of retaining structures defining isolated volumes at a first depth within the image icon layer, a first zone of image icons, the first zone of image icons having a first predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures, wherein the isolated volumes of retaining structures of the first predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures contain cured pigmented material of a first color, and a second zone of image icons, the second zone of image icons including a second predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures, wherein the isolated volumes of retaining structures of the second predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures contain cured pigmented material of a second color, wherein the second color contrasts with the first color.

A micro-optic security device with zonal color transitions includes a planar array of focusing elements, an image icon layer including a plurality of retaining structures, the plurality of retaining structures defining isolated volumes at a first depth within the image icon layer, a first zone of image icons, the first zone of image icons having a first predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures, wherein the isolated volumes of retaining structures of the first predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures contain cured pigmented material of a first color, and a second zone of image icons, the second zone of image icons including a second predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures, wherein the isolated volumes of retaining structures of the second predefined subset of the plurality of retaining structures contain cured pigmented material of a second color, wherein the second color contrasts with the first color.

A smart ink, comprising microparticles, with each microparticle comprising: a) an exterior shell; b) a liquid encapsulated within the shell; and c) a Janus microparticle suspended in the liquid, wherein the Janus microparticle either comprises: i) two or more distinct assemblies of particles; or ii) a core loaded with particles, the core having a first surface portion and a second surface portion that is functionally distinct from the first surface portion. An apparatus and method for production of the microparticles are also provided.

A smart ink, comprising microparticles, with each microparticle comprising: a) an exterior shell; b) a liquid encapsulated within the shell; and c) a Janus microparticle suspended in the liquid, wherein the Janus microparticle either comprises: i) two or more distinct assemblies of particles; or ii) a core loaded with particles, the core having a first surface portion and a second surface portion that is functionally distinct from the first surface portion. An apparatus and method for production of the microparticles are also provided.

Disclosed are methods and systems for validating instruments. For instance, a request to generate a cashier's check may be received from an application executing on a drawer's computing device. Request information may be stored within a data storage entry for the check, and a code to be printed on the check may be generated to include at least a portion of the request information. Instructions may be provided to a printing system to cause the check to be printed with the code, where the printed check is invalid. Instructions may be provided to the application and/or printing system to cause display of a prompt to facilitate a reading of the code to validate the check. When information within the code is read by and received from the printing system, the check may be validated, which triggers a transfer of funds from the drawer's account. Otherwise, the check may remain invalid.